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Kaiga Unit-1 sets world record in continuous operation
Mrityunjay Bose
DHNS
Last Updated IST
KGS located in the sylvan surroundings of the Western Ghats at Kaiga in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is a cluster of four indigenously developed Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors of 220 MW each. (DH File Photo)
KGS located in the sylvan surroundings of the Western Ghats at Kaiga in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is a cluster of four indigenously developed Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors of 220 MW each. (DH File Photo)

The Unit-1 of Kaiga Generating Station (KGS) has made country proud by registering 941 days of continuous operation on Monday surpassing the earlier world record of 940 days held by Heysham-2 Unit-8 (610 MWe AGR) of UK.

This landmark has demonstrated that the nation’s capability in nuclear power generation technology of PHWR is fully matured, according to a statement by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.

It evidences the excellence in design, construction, safety, quality and operation & maintenance practices of NPCIL.

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KGS located in the sylvan surroundings of the Western Ghats at Kaiga in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is a cluster of four indigenously developed Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors of 220 MW each.

Two more indigenous reactors to be set up at the site, Kaiga 5&6 (2X700 MW) have been accorded administrative approval and financial sanction by the Government.

KGS-1 started commercial operation on November 16, 2000. During the present stint of continuous operation from May 13, 2016, the unit has generated about 5 billion (500 crore) units of electricity.

Indian nuclear power plants have demonstrated continuous operation for more than a year 28 times so far. These three reactors, KGS-1 (941 days still in operation), RAPS-3 (777 days) and RAPS-5 (765 days) have operated continuously for more than two years. The units at Kaiga have operated more than a year on 12 occasions so far.

NPCIL presently operates twenty-two reactors with a capacity of 6780 MW (including RAPS-1 (100 MW) under extended shutdown) and has eight reactors with a capacity of 6200 MW under construction. Work has also been initiated on twelve more reactors (9000 MW) accorded administrative approval and financial sanction by the Government.

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(Published 10 December 2018, 13:23 IST)